The Tesla Roadster is receiving its fourth major production update with the new Roadster 2.5, a revised version of the electric sports car with a new grille and rear bumper.

The 2011 Tesla Roadster 2.5 received an updated grille that resembles the design of the Model S as well as a new rear bumper with a diffuser element. Other cosmetic changes include more comfortable seats, improved surface finishes and an optional seven inch touchscreen display that includes a backup camera. So far, there are no powertrain changes to the vehicle.

Earlier this year, Tesla planned to stop production of the Roadster and announced in a Form S-1 filing of its preliminary prospectus with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that the company would replace the Roadster with a new model that would be introduced in 2013 at the very soonest.

But in March of this year, the auto company said they negotiated further with key suppliers and felt they could increase the Roadster's production by 40 percent, extending sales into 2012. Undoubtedly, Tesla's recent success with their initial public offering, which helped the automaker earn over US $226 million from share purchases, has put the company in a better financial place and is helping them stay on track with the 2012 goal.

Originally, the shares were expected to sell for $14-$16 a piece, but ended up selling for $17. In addition, there was an increase in the number of shares sold. Tesla planned to release 11.1 million shares, but released 13.3 million shares instead, and at a higher cost, which makes this a triumphant success for the auto company. Though, only 17 percent of shares have been sold to the public.

Tesla stocks are now over $21.50 a share, and Tesla is valued at US $1.33 billion. With the IPO's help in bringing Tesla out of a financial crisis, the company's production plan consists of releasing the Roadster 2.5 in 2011 and the Model S in 2012. In addition, the automaker has opened two new Tesla stores in Newport Beach, California and Copenhagen, Denmark.

No prices on the Roadster 2.5 have been released yet, but the vehicle is available for order and will appear in Tesla stores everywhere "soon."

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quote: Like for instance they have a highspeed lane on the highway that people are allowed to drive in if they buy a specific card...

Where? I heard the idea of implementing a US style "Lexus lane" but never thought they had actually gone through with it.

Its a pretty stupid idea giving the hard shoulder as the slow lane and then sticking in a "premium lane" Partly because these were planned for congested motorways, which means the cars in the lane with have to cut a minimum of two lanes to get off the motorway. Which will mean cars waiting to pull out will probably block the lane. Although the biggest reason is probably the fact that hard shoulders are important. We're having to pay well over the odds to add a hard shoulders to the M80 (widening bridges, overpasses) because it was cheaper to only put in two lanes at the time. I would much prefer to have a Auto Bahn hard shoulder system, that allows it to be used as a lane, but if there is a breakdown convert it back to a hard shoulder.

I don't agree that a "socialist" government have any more control over their citizens than a right wing government. "Socialist" governments of Europe tend to be a lot more popular initially as they tend to be knee jerk reactions to repressive governments, so citizens are more willing to go along with them. But if we actually look at the power a citizen has to influence policy I don't think they have much in any system. If we look at the ultimate form of control, prison and military then it seems right wing governments tend to have much more of stick approach rather than the carrot. Naturally in politics there are exceptions to every rule, like most countries with a dictator like leader will tend to take the stick approach.

You're point about Hitler isn't valid. Hitler didn't just inherit his power, he gain popularity of the people even before he was in power, and then he corrupted the German democracy until he was an iron fist dictator, he gained popularity with preaching Socialist ideologies, but then gained power and turned Nazi.

quote: Sort of like England... they had true and actual socialism for 6 years

When did our right-wing German Monarchy not have not have full control if they wanted to exercise it?

(I'm taking a pop at the monarchy, not you. But when was this 6 years? If its the post WW2 then it's not "true and actual socialism")